If you are looking to boost sales and improve the content in your newspaper, you should consider subscribing to newspaper publishing syndicates. Newspaper syndicates distribute news stories, pictures, comics and illustrations.

Newspaper syndicates can be used to beef up the news content of your publication or provide quality entertainment pages which may be hard to produce with a small staff. A news service syndicate can:

1. Provide international stories that appeal to broad audiences.

2. Give your newspaper readers access to nationally published comics and columnists.

3. Give your newspaper's website extra content such as breaking news across the country, or e-mail alerts.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use syndicates in newspapers to give your readers quality national and international news

Your reporters can't be everywhere at all times, which is why newspaper syndicates are in business. Syndicates can give your local readers the national and international news they want in your publication, so they won't have to look elsewhere. Newspaper publisher syndicates can give you access to all of their content, or if you are on a budget, you can often choose services a la carte.

I recommend: United Press International has news from around the world. The Los Angeles Times-Washington Post News Service offers a free trial offer to interested publications.

Use newspaper publishing syndicates to give your readers cartoons and columns

Many newspaper readers are addicted to a certain national cartoon or column that they routinely read. By subscribing to a news service syndicate that provides the popular content, you can keep your readers coming back.

I recommend: King Features provides several well-known cartoons. Creators Syndicate offers a host of popular columnists that your readers may be interested in. Universal Press Syndicate has lifestyle columns based on several popular topics.

Use newspaper syndicates to beef up your paper's website

Newspaper publisher syndicates offer far more services than what you see on the printed page. Syndicate newspapers can keep their websites fresh and exciting to readers by using newspaper syndicates for breaking news, podcasts, multimedia presentations and RSS feeds.

I recommend: Yellow Brix can customize the information you want for your website. The New York Times Syndicate has videos or interactive games you can post on your website.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Inquire about the a la carte selections of your news service syndicate. You can save a lot of money by subscribing to only what you need.
• •  Research free syndicated newspaper content. There are several columnists and cartoonists trying to break into the business by offering free content.